Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969–1972; Jordan, September 1970

323. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization¹

Washington, September 23, 1970, 2128Z.

156554. Subject: Jordan Situation. Ref: USNATO 3417.²

1. You may assure PermReps and Brosio of US understanding of their interest in and concern about military dispositions. You should state that actions taken have involved the moving of the carrier J. F. Kennedy from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean area along with a number of supporting ships.

2. Other than that we have taken certain measures as a series of precautionary actions to increase the readiness of Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force units to support an evacuation operation for Americans in Jordan should that be necessary.³

3. Begin FYI: We do not interpret any actions taken to date as requiring a report to the NAC under CM(55) 82. End FYI.

Rogers

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 JORDAN. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Colonel Earl L. Boyd (DOD/ISA); cleared in EUR/RPM, Jordan Working Group, and J–5; and approved by George Springsteen (EUR). It was repeated to USNMR SHAPE, USCINCEUR, USNAVEUR, USAFE, and USAREUR.
2. Telegram 3417 from USNATO, September 22, reported that the NATO Representatives discussed the issue of “U.S. readiness measures” relating to the Jordan situation and how these measures might impact NATO forces. (Ibid.)
3. In backchannel telegram 1217 from USNATO, September 23, Ellsworth urged Kissinger to have the Departments of State and Defense draft a report that Ellsworth could give to the NAC. Ellsworth believed this would allay concerns among NATO allies regarding possible U.S. intervention in Jordan. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 423, Backchannel, Backchannel Messages, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America)